Kent Approves Mill Creek Middle School Track Project
The city hearing examiner authorized a variance to allow construction of a new field and track facility at the middle school.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Track & Field
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The Kent Hearing Examiner approved a critical areas variance on October 20, 2026, to allow for the redevelopment of the Mill Creek Middle School track and field. The $10 million project will feature an all-weather surface and a five-lane track located at 620 Central Ave. N.
Why it matters
A variance was necessary because the proposed athletic facility sits within the protected Mill Creek stream buffer. The approval allows the district to proceed with site improvements while implementing mandatory environmental mitigation measures.
The project involves permanent impacts to 218 square feet of functional buffer, which will be offset by 43,021 square feet of new buffer creation. The total site buffer area is expected to increase from approximately 45,000 square feet to 65,000 square feet.
The players
Kent Hearing Examiner
This local authority is responsible for reviewing and approving variances and land-use applications within the city of Kent.
Mill Creek Middle School
This educational institution is the site of the upcoming track and field redevelopment project.
The details
The facility plan includes adding fill to the local floodplain and installing two underground flood storage cells connected to Mill Creek. Construction requires adherence to a final mitigation plan and an inadvertent discovery plan to protect the surrounding environment.
Timeline
The hearing examiner approved the variance on October 20, 2026.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027.
Construction is expected to reach completion by fall or early winter 2027.
Season Trajectory
This development aligns with the district's long-term facility modernization plan funded by the 2016 Capital Improvement & School Construction Bond. It marks a significant upgrade to athletic infrastructure that supports the school's physical education and competitive sports programs.
The school will gain a new five-lane track and an all-weather field surface once construction concludes in late 2027. Students and the community will see the facility footprint expand within the stream buffer zone as part of the total 65,000-square-foot buffered area.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates how school districts can balance infrastructure upgrades with mandatory floodplain and environmental protections. Residents should anticipate construction activity starting on campus in the spring of 2027.
Further reading
For more information on local facility improvements, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kent Reporter.
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